Jump to content
All visa questions and fresh Immigration updates here ×

Thaigreg

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    243

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Thaigreg

    Tricare Changes

    in Insurance in Thailand

    Posted

    Except none of it is true, or at least most of it. US Military retired are not going to see any changes under the new heath care paln except that thier children will get increased benefits, like TRICARE coverage up to age 26.

    Wrong! I've had a claim at Tricare since the 10 Oct 2010. After numerous phone calls with customer service about the long delay in this claim being paid. I was told that changes effective the 1st of Jan 2011, resulted in my claim being returned. I was told that my paid receipt from the hospital was not sufficient proof of payment. This infor was told to me on the 6th of Jan, my claim was returned on the 10th.

    Kindles, Nooks, And Kobos

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    The Kindle I ordered from amazon.com on December 15 arrived yesterday afternoon by DHL.

    It works fine, was packaged adequately and had been despatched on the 13th.

    Item Subtotal: $139.00

    Shipping and handling: $20.98

    Import Fees Deposit: $40.96

    Total: $200.94

    Someone elsewhere said that amazon refunded the difference in actual import fees...

    Had my Kindle shipped by USPS Express for $40. No custom fee. Arrived in 4 days.

    True Visions Upcoming Channels

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Yes i have just noticed in TRUE, there is the Fox channel on 57, Nothing in the magazine or in the web schedule about having Fox.. So anyone know what is going on?

    Checked my telly at the weekend and no sign of Fox at all.

    Edit: Hold that!! The missus just checked and there is indeed a Fox Channel at 57, I had been looking for Fox News.

    Big 10-4 on Channel 57 now being shown as FOX. Since it was previously a reserved channel (i.e., nothing on it...reserved for a future channel), I had my settop box setup to Skip it. I set the box to not skip Ch 57 and I"m now watching some show called Military Action Unit 3 that also has the FOX icon showing. For non-US folks, FOX is one of the TV networks in the U.S. like ABC, CBS, NBC, etc....don't know if Ch 57 is an international or U.S. version of FOX, or if it's available to all TrueVisions viewers depending on what package you subscribe to...I can't see anything that gives a clue as to whether it for all packages or just certain packages which usually means it for all packages....I'm on the Platinum package.

    In the US FOX NEWS is NOT a free service. The Fox Entertainment channel is a free service like the ABC, CBS and NBC entertainment channels.

    Greg

    Google Entering The Ebook/Ereader Market.

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    We may get to check out Google's long-anticipated entry into the digital book sales market before the end of the year.

    Google Editions, which was announced in spring and expected to launch in summer, is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the month, Google spokeswoman Jeannie Hornung told CNET today. In September, Hornung talked with CNET about some of the difficulties in launching the ambitious project, saying "The real answer is, we'll launch the service when it's ready."

    Google Editions is expected to open up a new distribution channel for digital-book publishers and give Amazon and Apple a new competitor in the booming digital-book market. However, a key difference Google's "buy anywhere, read anywhere" approach, which means customers will download titles accessible exclusively through a Web browser, instead of through an online store, as Amazon and Apple customers do. Customers will also use any Internet-connected device, be it a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet computer, to access the books on Google's servers.

    Google hasn't revealed who or how many partners it has in the effort. But traditional revenue-sharing models could be upset by the fact that customers wouldn't actually have their own copy of the books they purchase.

    Amazon is the dominant player in the e-book sales, claiming to command upward of 80 percent of the market. However, in an apparently effort to stave off defections to rival e-book sellers, Amazon recently announced plans to give newspaper and magazine publishers a greater share of the revenue it collects.

    Google is no stranger to digital books; he Internet giant announced plans in December 2004 to scan, digitize and make searchable the collections of five of the largest libraries in the world. However, the effort quickly became embroiled in lawsuits and negotiations over copyright issues.

    Steven Musil

    Full Profile E-mail Steven Musil

    Retirement Extension In Pattaya

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Great info. Mine needs to be renewed in March. Glad I can do it earlier as it would make me feel much better! I also like going late in the day. I went 2 times in the AM and waited a fair amount of time. Last 2 times has been around 4pm and there was nobody there!

    Question: I am from the US and doing the "retirement" visa. I am assuming I need a new income verification letter. If I get that at the upcoming consular visit, can I use it in late January when I apply for my extension? Or would it be better to wait until next year. I've heard mixed reports on this.

    P.S. I like you new avatar, JT!

    Well, I have been told that the letter is good for one year (not sure within application for extension or expiration of Visa). Like you, my Visa extension comes due in March. With the extreme rise in the cost of the letter, I'm not going to do it at the next Consular visit on Dec 1st. That would make the letter more than 90 days old. I'll wait and go to Bangkok at the end of January as normal, to get the letter. The first Consular visit to Pattaya in 2011, is March 1st. Which is too close to my expiration date (March 3). It's not worth the risk, added cost, or hassle. Even though I hate the trips to Bangkok!

    The following info was received by me from ACS (American Consular Services):

    show details Nov 3

    Dear Bangkok Consular District American Citizens,

    The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to

    inform you of the consular outreach schedule for fiscal year 2011. Exact

    hours and venues will be provided in future messages. Dates are subject

    to change, but we intend to stay as close to this schedule as possible.

    Consular staff will be available to provide services as follows:

    Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Khon Khaen

    Wednesday, December 1, 2010 Pattaya

    Friday, December 17, 2010 Phuket

    Thursday, January 6, 2011 Khorat

    Tuesday, March 1, 2011 Pattaya

    Thursday, March 10, 2011 Udorn

    Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Phuket

    Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Pattaya

    Thursday, June 9, 2011 Khon Khaen

    Thursday, June 16, 2011 Phuket

    Thursday, September 1, 2011 Pattaya

    Thursday, September 8, 2011 Udorn

    Friday, September 16, 2011 Phuket

    The following consular services will be available during our outreach

    visits:

    * Passport renewal applications

    * Notarial Services and Certified Copies. This includes income

    affidavits for retirees in Thailand.

    * Extra visa pages. Note: we can accept applications, but the

    passports will have to be brought back to the Embassy for final

    processing the next business day. As of this writing, Thailand Post has

    approved our request to use prepaid envelopes to return passports. We

    will bring prepaid envelopes on outreaches that you can buy from us (at

    cost) if you wish us have us mail your passport back to you.

    Alternatively, you can pick up your passport at the Embassy. You can

    also have a friend pick up your passport by giving them written

    authorization to present to us.

    * Our ability to answer Social Security, VA, or other federal

    benefits questions will be limited, but we will try to provide forms and

    answers.

    Consular Reports of Birth cannot be processed during consular outreach

    trips.

    Costs for services will be announced along with the hours and venues for

    each outreach event.

    If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call the

    American Citizen Services Unit at 02-205-4049.

    We look forward to seeing you.

    Sincerely,

    American Citizen Services

    U.S. Embassy

    Bangkok, Thailand

    Greg

    Usa Vpn In Thailand

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Although I don't have VPN this post tweaked my interest to do some research/googling regarding VPN services and based on this research/googling if I was to signup for a VPN service tomorrow I would go with StrongVPN. Web reviews seem to give them good ratings and there is lots of good info on their web site, including speed testing to get a preview of the speed you would probably get with their VPN service from their various worldwide servers.

    StrongVPN limits the number of switches (changing servers) per month, depending on the package you have with 12 being the max. WiTopia has no limits and also has 4 proxy servers.

    Ebook Readers

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Yes you can have ereaders sent through both Amazon and B&N, but as Phil stated they add taxes and custom fees to the initial cost of the reader. I was able to order a Jetbook Lite reader through Newegg.com and it cost initially $99 and $30 for shipping and no custom fee. You should check this website for good info on ebook readers:http://www.mobileread.com/forums/.

    Greg

    Nfl 2010 Season

    in Sports, Hobbies & Activities

    Posted

    Also ASN will be showing the following preseason games:

    Aug 17- 0700 NY Giants @ NY Jets

    Aug 20- 0700 New England @ Atlanta

    Aug 23- 0700 Minnesota @ SF

    Aug 24- 0700 Arizona @ Tennessee

    Aug 27- 0700 Indianapolis @ Green Bay

    Aug 28- 0700 San Diego @ New Orleans

    Aug 29- 0700 Dallas @ Houston

    10. Aug 30- 0700 Pittsburgh @ Denver

    Greg

    Red Baht Bus Down Nernplabwun

    in Pattaya

    Posted · Edited by Thaigreg

    I live on NPW but never take the red baht-buses as I have a SUV and besides it's too low-so, but from what I see driving up and down NPW, they seem to run basically back and forth from Sukhumvit to the Wat Suttawas area...basically in a straight line of about 5 km. They do not cross Sukhumvit (as I have never seen one anywhere else around town...if one was heading into town to wards the beach, one would have to cross Sukkie and catch one of the blue BBs at the top of Pattaya Klang or if going north or south along Sukkie, one of the white BBs that go in those directions.

    Beware that the red BBs are invariability packed...enjoy your ride.

    I've taken that bus numerous times north on Sukhumvit to Pattaya Nua and as stated before as far as Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and will be going there on this coming Thursday to the hospital on the bus.

    Greg

    Red Baht Bus Down Nernplabwun

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    yes interested to know as well, as i am a npw resident. i had heard it runs down klang then slides over to nua (down sai 3 or 2?) to Na Klua but i do not know and i never see one when i want it. i tend to want to get out for a few on the weekend and do not want to drive - these days i walk to klang then catch one from there but that is not very convenient.

    any more details appreciated

    Hi Kuma,

    I've lived in the Nongprue area for over 7 years and never seen the bus go down pattaya klang. As I stated before I take the bus to sukhumvit and walk down klang to Foodland, Carrefour, etc. When it comes back to npw it comes off of sukhumvit on to npw and catch there to go back down npw.

    Greg

    American Football

    in Sports, Hobbies & Activities

    Posted · Edited by Thaigreg

    Ten Pre-season NFL games on AXN:

    1. Aug 9 - 0700 Cincinnati @ Dallas

    2. Aug l1- 0700 Carolina @ Baltimore Bay

    3. Aug 17- 0700 NY Giants @ NY Jets

    4. Aug 20- 0700 New England @ Atlanta

    5. Aug 23- 0700 Minnesota @ SF

    6. Aug 24- 0700 Arizona @ Tennessee

    7. Aug 27- 0700 Indianapolis @ Green Bay

    8. Aug 28- 0700 San Diego @ New Orleans

    9. Aug 29- 0700 Dallas @ Houston

    10. Aug 30- 0700 Pittsburgh @ Denver

    Nfl On Sophon Cable Tv?

    in Pattaya

    Posted · Edited by Thaigreg

    Hi,

    I was watching a tennis match on Astrosport 2 (Channel 69) and saw a TV promo for NFL. Unfortunately no further info was provided, such as , dates, times or whether games will be live or delayed. Anyone else see this?

    Greg

    Piratebay Blocked - Somebody Else?

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Curious. Here I get "The connection has timed out. The server at thepiratebay.org is taking too long to respond." - not the usual government block page. Looks more like some connectivity issue between 3BB and the network hosting Pirate Bay.

    I got the same results a few minutes ago. Tried with a different sever no problem.

    Tt&T - 3Bb Broadband -

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Yes, I agree that 3BB is now limiting torrents downloads. I have 6Mbps package. I normally get downloads of between 650Kbps and 720Kbps with utorrent. Speedtest shows 5.73Mbps local and 5.89Mbps international (USA). My download speed right now with utorrent is between 20 and 26Kbps. Speedtest with my proxy server shows 0.11Mbps local and 0.33Mbps international. I also notice today that my ISP was changed to 180.183.23.180 normally it is 117.xxx.xx.xxx or 112.xxx.xx.xxx. I wondering if changing packages or Internet provider will help.

    Greg

    Started an internet around 7:30 last night and around 8.00 I decided to try downloading again with utorrent. Right away I noticed my download speeds (650Kbps - 720Kbps)were back to normal. Checking my internet connecting settings I saw that my IP address had changed back to 112.xxx.xx.xxx (Chonburi) and not 180.183.23.180 (Bangkok) This morning my connecting IP address is 117.47.157.55 (Bangkok). I'm currently downloading a file that started at 212Kbps for a couple of minutes and then jumped to as high as 700Kbps and now is downloading at 498. So things seem to be back to normal.

    Greg

×
×
  • Create New...